Am I Brushing My Teeth Too Much? | McKinney, Texas 75070

It is strongly recommended by dental professionals to floss daily and brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. It is vital to brush off any plaque build up and maintain good dental hygiene. However, is there such a thing as brushing too much?

What are the consequences?

The enamel is the hard tooth structure that protects your teeth from decay. Brushing for too long and with too much pressure does more harm than good. The excess force can actually contribute to wearing away your enamel and making your teeth weaker and more susceptible to decay. Additionally, excess force and friction from brushing your teeth too hard or too often can lead to gum recession. The fibers holding the gums to the teeth can be damaged and resulting in the appearance that your teeth look longer than they actually are. Additionally, the gum recession leads to root exposure and therefore sensitivity.

What should I do with this information?

It is important that with brushing to be mindful with the certain amount of pressure being used.

It is best to use an electric toothbrush since most have a sensor that detects whether you are applying too much pressure.
If you are continuing to use a manual toothbrush, use a very very soft bristle toothbrush to minimize abrasiveness on the teeth and gums.

Be efficient with the flossing!

When flossing make sure that the string floss hugs the natural curvature of the tooth and to be as close to the gums as possible. A straight up and down motion can lead to gum damage and ultimately gum recession.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at Ridge Commons Family Dentistry at 972-972-8782.

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